“Noli?” Captain Vix asked.
“Come in.” She took the weights off the finished section glad she hadn’t been practicing knife throwing. The last thing she wanted was Thad to get in trouble. Vix cocked her head. “What are you doing?
Making a watch chain. What can I help you with? May I check the engines now? Do you need me to go up top to make repairs?”
“We’re going to have to limp along until we reach San Fran. Especially now that we’re heavy with their supplies and cargo. Whatever you did to the engines worked perfectly. Hopefully, Hayden’s Follies will get here to fly decoy before we cross MoBatt territory, since the quickest way to San Fran is through Deseret. Right now I need you down below.” Noli followed, skirts rustling as Vix led her down to the main cargo hold.
“There’s no place else, so we’ve put them in the hold. But I’m no good with small children,” Vix told her. “I know you’re an engineer not a nursemaid, but perhaps you could help me with them? They’re afraid of the men—and rightfully so.”
Noli nodded, imaging what horrible things they’ve been through. “They’ll warm up to Winky soon enough.
I think they will.” Vix gave her the slightest of smiles and opened the door. “I’ll have him bring down some supper.”
Six little girls peered at her with wide eyes. Some had cuts and bruises, one was naked, and the others wore everything from rags to ripped party dresses. The eldestlooking girl was as dark as Asa. Another had almond eyes and yellowish skin.
A tiny blonde with giant blue eyes toddled over to Noli and wrapped her arms around her leg. “Are you taking me home to my Popi?”
Noli ran her fingers through the girl’s tangled hair and looked to Vix for the answer.
“We’re taking you someplace safe; the ladies there will help get you back to your mommies and daddies.” Vix used a baby voice, bending down with her hands on her knees.
Noli bit her tongue to keep from laughing at such ridiculousness.
“What should I do?” Noli surveyed the group, the torn dresses and bruised faces.
“See if anyone has any major injuries. Also, could you just stay with them for a little while? Please? I need to return to the bridge.” Vix shifted her weight from foot to foot.
“Go ahead. We’ll be fine, right?” Noli looked down at the little blonde girl.
The little girl nodded. “I’m hungry.”
Other heads bobbed in agreement.
“Winky will bring down some food.” Vix left.
Suddenly, Noli felt herself shoved out of her body as the sprite took control. “Hi girls, I’m Noli. Why don’t we get you all cleaned up so we can have supper?”
Noli watched as the sprite paraded them up to the engine room where she’d secretly rigged a way for the heat of the engines to warm a barrel of water that was supposed to be used as a ballast, which she’d snuck up from the hold. That was going to be her bath later. Ballast water didn’t need to be clean to be useful and there’d been no time in Denver for a hot bath. She’d planned on returning the barrel to its rightful place when she’d finished with it.
“I only have one bar of soap, but we’ll make six wash cloths.” The sprite used her little knife to cut rags into pieces and gave one to each girl. “We have some nice warm water so let’s get everyone clean.” She helped the girls wash up, then dressed them, deftly using the fabric from her walls and hair ribbons. Actually, it wasn’t half bad. Still …
Let me back in, I can do this. Noli tried to shove her aside.
I’m a much better hair-braider, the sprite shot back as she sat everyone down in a long hair brushing chain. Noli hadn’t even realized she owned that many combs and brushes let along brought them with her.
It’s my turn, Noli demanded after everyone’s hair had been combed and braided No, it’s always your turn. No fair. “Let’s see if Mr. Winky has your supper.”
“Miss Noli, are you and the girls in there?” Winky said from the other side of the engine room door.
“We’re coming right now.” She led the girls back down the stairs, into the hold, and sat them down on crates. The sprite peered at the tray Winky carried. “What is that?”
Winky bobbed his head. “Oatmeal, Miss Noli, we weren’t planning on taking passengers.”
“Oh.”
Noli wanted to smack the sprite. Don’t hurt his feelings—tell him he did a good job.
Why?
Because it’s nice, and he’s nice.
Oh. The sprite didn’t like to hurt anyone’s feelings. She gave him a huge smile. “It was nice of you to make this, Mr. Winky. I’m sure it’s delicious.”
“I try my best, Miss Noli.” He gave her a little bob of the head as he helped her dish out six bowls of surprisingly unlumpy oatmeal.
“Could you try to find some spare blankets?” the sprite added.
“Of course, Miss Noli.” Winky left.
Noli watched in a combination of horror and boredom as the sprite fussed over the girls, made a bed for them out of blankets, and told strange stories that made no sense to Noli but had the girls rollicking with unladylike laughter.
Every time Noli fought for control, she lost. Fear consumed her. What if she couldn’t regain possession of the body? What if she never did and eventually her real self faded away, leaving only the sprite. No one would ever know something else resided in her body, that she wasn’t truly like this.
You worry too much, the sprite scolded as she stroked the little blonde girl’s hair, the girl’s eyes heavy with sleep, as the sprite hummed an unfamiliar tune.
Finally, the little girl fell asleep. All six girls slept, a redhead snoring softly in the corner. Noli knew girls her age could often be found in joy houses, but this young? The tiny blonde was five, the eldest of the lot only ten. She’d like to convince herself they were destined for factories. Unfortunately, factories weren’t any nicer and probably wasn’t where they’d been headed.
The sprite yawned. I think it’s time for us to go to sleep.
Too bad we used all the water . Noli tried not to sound sour.
But I only used one barrel, the other is for us. I was just trying to be nice. Hurt leaked into her mental voice.
There were two? When were there two? This was getting to be too much. Noli sighed inwardly. Being nice is good, especially to hurt little girls. Yes, let’s take a bath and go to bed.
Perhaps in the morning she could wrest control of her own body back from the sprite.
Desperation to speak with Magnolia chased Kevighn like the air patrol pursued air pirates Kevighn crept into the engine room; his eyes fell on the flowers painted on the engine as he snuck past. It reminded him of Creideamh— his sister would do something like that, though she’d been a more accomplished painter.
The door wasn’t closed all the way and he pushed it open. “Magnolia?”
The only light came from the engine room, illuminating the sleeping Noli, sweetly cradled in the hammock. Her ears poked out slightly from her sleep cap, a doll cradled in her arms. She looked so …vulnerable when she slept.
“Magnolia? It’s Kevighn.” He stepped inside her tiny room, so he wasn’t obvious if anyone walked into the engine room, and closed the door behind him.
Her eyes flickered open. “I know you.”
Kevighn took a step backward, nearly crashing into the wall. What an odd thing to say. “Um, yes, you do.”
She sat up, green blanket slipping to reveal a white ruffled nightdress. “You’re fun. I like to have fun. It’s boring here.”
Magnolia flashed him a flirtatious smile—something very un-Magnolia-like.
His stomach churned and the hairs on his arms stood up. Something wasn’t right. This wasn’t his little blossom. This wasn’t even the Magnolia he’d seen at supper.
“Who are you?” He peered into her steel eyes, which didn’t quite seem like hers. No. It was like someone else looked out of Magnolia’s eyes.
“I’m Noli,” she giggled, tossing her
head a little.
That wasn’t her laugh. It reminded him more of those vapid courtiers the high queen kept. Magnolia never tossed her head like that, either.
“Where’s Noli?” he demanded. This girl who looked like Magnolia wasn’t a changeling or simulacrum—but she wasn’t quite Magnolia either.
“I’m Noli.” She giggled again. “Oh, you mean the other Noli? The boring one? She’s sleeping.” Magnolia made an exasperated noise. “Finally.”
“What do you mean the other Noli?” His heart sped as he leaned against the closed door. Something was amiss. “She lives here, too.” She tapped her head with her index finger. “She’s so bossy. She never lets me have a turn.”
His heart seized. “There are two of you in one body? How did that happen?”
“Queen Tiana. One day I was just there, in this body— but the other Noli wouldn’t leave. She was supposed to leave.” She huffed, blowing a wayward piece of hair out of her face. “How am I supposed to have fun if I have to share with her?
Queen Tiana? How and why would she do that? “What are you?”
It wasn’t difficult to guess—the pointed ears, the beautiful body, the not-so-bright-but-chipper occupant.
“I’m a sprite, of course.” She giggled again.
Things started to make a sense. But only a little.
“Will you take me to the Otherworld? It’s so boring here.” She batted her eyelashes.
“I don’t think Stiofán would like that very much.” He kept his voice guarded.
“Why?” She cocked her head, eyes widening. “He broke the stone. It hurt. The other Noli’s no fun because she hurts so much.”
“Wait, Stiofán broke her stone?” His jaw dropped as his heart did a dance of joy. If Stiofán had broken it off with Magnolia that meant he still had a chance.
She nodded. “The other Noli thinks someone made him.”
That sounded like his little blossom. Poor girl.
“You said the other Noli is sleeping? Could you wake her for me? Please?” He gave her his most charming smile.
“No. If I wake her up she won’t let me have the body back.” Her lower lip jutted out. “I never get a turn.”
“Please. I really need to speak with her. I’ll tell her that you should have more turns.”
“You will?” Her whole being brightened with such intensity he winced. Not being mortal anymore, she no longer had the Spark, but she certainly possessed something.
“Of course.” He added another smile for good measure. The sprite wouldn’t have the answers he sought, and well, that wasn’t his Magnolia. Magnolia and a sprite in the same body—a very attractive Fae body—who could imagine?
“I suppose I could.” She sighed a little, as if it were a huge imposition. “Let me see if I can wake her.”
For a moment she was …gone, eyes blank, body still. It was nearly as strange as the other girl speaking out of Magnolia’s pink lips.
The eyes blinked and widened. “Kevighn, what are you doing here? Do you know how much trouble you’ll get in if the catch you?” she hissed.
Now that was his Magnolia.
“Noli, why aren’t you mortal anymore?” he blurted.
She looked away, face darkening. “I don’t want to talk about it—and I never gave you permission to call me Noli.”
True. However, everyone on the ship did, as did her friends—and that whelp of a prince.
His fingertips brushed her shoulder in a very familiar gesture, the white cloth of her ruffled nightdress soft under his fingertips. “Please? It … it involves the queen, doesn’t it?”
“Never bargain with the high queen.” Her voice a whisper, she clutched the doll to her chest like a shield, expression contorting into one of pain.
Kevighn’s hand stayed on her shoulder, since she didn’t glare at it or brush it away. “Why would you bargain with her?”
“I had to get home somehow.” Her voice cracked with pain.
“Oh, right.” He’d been to one to inform her that eating faery food bound her to the Otherworld—and the high queen possessed the power to send her home.
Eyes brimming with pain looked up at him. “It’s so difficult. It wears me out trying to keep her in check.” She straightened with resolve. “But we’ll fix it and I’ll be me again.”
“Of course.” He still didn’t understand what happened, but there wasn’t any way he knew of to get her humanity back. Getting rid of the sprite, well, that seemed more feasible. Maybe.
Then again, Magnolia Braddock was the most determined girl he’d ever met, even more than his sister.
“Why are you on this ship?” Her eyes met his in her old, refreshingly direct manner.
“I was looking for a job. You?” Kevighn leaning against the door again, since she hadn’t invited him to sit—not that there was a place other than a little bench and her hammock. If she invited him to her hammock he’d want to do more than sit and talk.
“It’s better than Boston.” She hugged the doll to her chest. “I miss V.”
Who was off questing—if Igan and his crew hadn’t accidently killed him. He prayed to the Bright Lady they had.
“I’m here.” He gave her a reassuring smile, but didn’t touch her. Yes, that was the right card to play. Slow and steady. “When you’re ready to talk, I’m here.” Kevighn’s smile grew lopsided. “If your brother hasn’t tossed me off the ship while it’s moving.”
Magnolia laughed her laugh, like bubbles popping in a glass of champagne. “I won’t let him torture you too much.” Her laughter stopped abruptly. “If he knew you were involved with my disappearance … ”
“I won’t tell…will you?” He gave her a searching glance.
She swallowed and shook her head as she chewed on her lower lip. “No. I won’t tell.”
Taking her hand, the one not holding the doll, he looked into her eyes. “I’ll help you in any way I can.” Kevighn kissed her hand. “Good night.”
“Good night, Kevighn.” Her big eyes stared up at him, a mixture of too many emotions to read. He most definitely had her off balance. Good.
He left, closing the door behind him, praying he didn’t run into Winky.
Magnolia wasn’t mortal. Stiofán had left her. Things just got better and better, and he gave his thanks to the Bright Lady.
Then again, Kevighn was a huntsman and he always got what he wanted in the end.
Fourteen
MoBatts
“I can’t believe we missed them again.” Steven wanted to bang his head on the wooden table of the dingy air terminal bar in Denver. “That is the most problematic tracking spell I’ve ever seen.” It made tracking with a sigil seem simplistic.
“At least I know one,” James huffed, signaling a serving girl and they placed their order.
He gave his brother a smile, trying to keep his own frustrations at bay. “I … I’m glad you do. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Really?” James brightened.
“Really.” For every problem James had instigated, he’d also offered solutions. Certainly, this quest had been more interesting, albeit frustrating, with his younger brother in attendance. At the same time he was grateful for the company and assistance.
He could do without the sulkiness and odd moods.
The serving girl brought their food and left, but not without giving them both winsome smiles. Many a girl in bars like this also made … personal visits.
“How are we going to find the ship?” Steven raked a hand through his hair. This time the tracking spell had been inconclusive.
James rolled his eyes and chewed his overly large bite of meat pie. “Um, ask if anyone knows where Barrel of Monkeys is headed? What sort of ship name is that, anyhow?”
“The name isn’t important. Finding them is.” Days had been wasted chasing this blasted vessel across the country. But if they found little Rahel and returned her to Dr. Heinz, it would be worth it. If they failed … well, he didn’t have the lu
xury of even entertaining the notion.
“What do you know of the Barrel of Monkeys?” a female voice demanded, a click of a pistol punctuating the question. Two blonde women, most likely sisters, stood in front of them, the taller of the two holding a pistol. No one in the bar even looked up from their conversations.
“Please, don’t shoot.” Steven put his hands in the air. “We’re trying to find it.”
“Why?” The woman with the pistol didn’t lower her weapon or gaze. Both women wore trousers. Trousers!
James shrugged. “They have something we want.”
“What?” she snapped. Her hair was longer and in one braid pinned up.
“An acquaintance has contracted us to retrieve his child,” Steven stammered, hoping these were friends, not foes. At least they were mortal.
Her pistol lowered. “Oh. We’re on the same side, then. I’m Hattie Hayden and this is my sister Hittie. We happen to know where those sons of dogs are.”
Steven perked. “You do?”
“You part of the children’s liberation front or just for hire?” Hittie’s eyes narrowed. Her hair was cut nearly as short as a man’s.
“We’re just the hired help,” James gave her a disarming smile.
Hattie shrugged. “Everyone’s got to make a living. Anyway, our friends are hopefully boarding that ship and stealing their cargo right now. We’re meeting up with them.”
“Wait—they’re boarding the ship of air pirates and stealing their cargo?” Steven blinked. Who in their right mind would rob an air pirate?
Hittie bristled, broad shoulders squaring. “It’s for the greater good. Children shouldn’t be stolen and forced into slavery.”
“True. But what do they do with the children afterwards?”
“We take them to a safehouse and try to return them to their families,” Hattie replied. “Here’s the deal. We just lost a crewmember. You help us and when we meet up with our friends, we’ll make sure you get your girl. If the safehouse contacts her parents first you won’t get paid.”
True. The last thing he wanted to do was waste more time.
“How can we help you?” James took a casual drink of beer as if discussing the weather or something equally inane.
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